By Dustin Yazell
“Interrogating The Nude,” the latest project taken on by the University Of Louisville Theatre Arts Department, is an exceptional play that will challenge both the cast and director of the production. It was chosen in part by Doug James, a U of L graduate student pursuing a master’s in fine arts.
The production “plays to both my strengths and my weaknesses” James states. Director James Tompkins is excited about the play which will keep audiences on their toes.
“It is a topsy turvy, screamingly funny play that audiences will surely enjoy” Tompkins said.
Beginning Sept. 26, students at U of L will get the opportunity to see this unique play presented by U of L’s theatre department that is written by one of America’s top playwrights today, Doug Wright. Wright is the mastermind behind “Gray Gardens,” a Tony award winning musical. This specific play however is so unique and challenging that it has only been presented a few times in its history. “It is very fun, yet still quite a challenge,” Tompkins said.
“‘Interrogating The Nude’ is very stressful and involves a lot of responsibility,” Tompkins describes of his role of directing the play, all adding up to “one of the most amazing experiences.” Tompkins also said of the plays plot that he “doesn’t expect but wouldn’t be surprised by a little controversy.” James, the shows star, said the play is “not your average play.” The direction of the play will shock some.
The plot starts out at a police station, where Marcel DuChamp and Man Ray raise a ruckus then, “the ensuing fun begins” Tompkins explains.
It is based off of Marcel DuChamp’s 1913 painting “Nude Descending A Staircase”, and mocks the uproar that it caused. At the beginning of the play DuChamp goes to the police station and declares that he has just murdered a woman, and cut her into little pieces, when in reality it was just a metaphor regarding his painting. Obviously, the police then began a wild goose chase which is where all the fun begins. During the play the audience will see DuChamp, a man, dressed up as a woman in order to throw off the police, and other parts of a “crazy show,” James, who plays the leading role of the police man, claims.
Throughout the play there is more than several sexual overtones, even certain names have a hidden meaning.
Audiences who attend “Interrogating The Nude” should expect to see something that is “a lot of fun,” said James. He is enthusiastic to perform his senior thesis as this play, seeing that is “suitable for him,” and his director Tompkins agreed that, “this is a great role for Doug”.
The two have been working on this play since two weeks prior to the start of school, but had practiced read throughs as early as mid May.
The play will be very intriguing and an opportunity for students to learn about the role of art in history. Be sure to catch the play, before it ends Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. in the Playhouse on campus. There is also a Sun. Matinee at 3 p.m. on Sept. 30. This years opening Theatre Arts Debut is sure to be a blast, catch all the action right here at U of L.
